In reaction to news of a viral outbreak in West Africa—one of the worst diseases in the world—the World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency meeting on February 14.
The organization gathered specialists from all over the world to hasten the discovery of vaccines and treatments for the deadly Marburg virus.
Concerns exist that the illness, which is now incurable and has an infection rate of 88%, could spread globally.
Nine individuals died as a result of the virus, which is regarded to be more dangerous than Ebola and was discovered in Equatorial Guinea. According to officials, the illness is thought to infect at least a dozen more people.
The province of Kie Ntem is where the nine instances were discovered. Movement is restricted in the neighboring nations of Gabon and Cameroon.
The WHO classified the virus as “epidemic-prone,” meaning it has the potential to start the next major pandemic. Eye hemorrhaging occurs in some virus-infected people, who are also highly contagious.
Even though manufacturers would need to gather ingredients and conduct test trials on the vaccine, the Marburg Virus Vaccine Collaboration (MARVAC) expected that it may take months before they create a usable vaccine and make it available.
The virus has currently been identified twice in West Africa, with the most recent outbreak taking place in Equatorial Guinea months after the initial one in Ghana.
In the areas where the outbreak has been identified, there is now more surveillance in place, according to George Ameh, the WHO national representative for Equatorial Guinea, who made this statement during the meeting. According to him, the COVID-19 teams had been sent to the country to aid in contact tracing.
On Monday, February 13, both Equatorial Guinea and the WHO identified the initial viral outbreak. Samples from deceased people who exhibited symptoms like lethargy, fever, diarrhea, and bloody vomit were discovered to contain the virus.
African fruit bats are naturally infected with the virus, although they don’t get sick from it. When it does arise, the Marburg virus is incredibly rare but also quite lethal.
Despite the low annual global fatality rates, the virus, depending on the strain and the available therapy, kills roughly 88% of those afflicted.
Despite the lack of a vaccine and a recognized cure for the virus, supportive care, such as medication and hydration, can lessen symptoms and increase survival rates.
The MARVAC team chose five experimental vaccines, the majority of which were created for the Ebola virus, as suitable research subjects.
In 1967, the first viral epidemics happened in Germany and Serbia.
The WHO has dispatched specialists to the nation to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients exhibiting symptoms in the impacted areas.